Andrew Flintoff

FACTFILE Born: 06/12/77 Right hand batsman; right arm fast bowler ODI debut: 07/04/99 v Pakistan, Sharjah

Undoubtedly England's best all-rounder since Ian Botham, Flintoff has become nothing less than a national sporting icon over the past few months.

He contributed 603 runs and 24 wickets to England's summer winning streak in Tests and his face became a fixture on the back pages of newspapers.

But Flintoff took a break from bowling during the one-day NatWest Series because of an ankle problem.

This was undoubtedly a major factor in England's failure to reach the final.

Flintoff still made his mark on the tournament, however, hitting 106 off 121 balls against New Zealand at Bristol and an incredible 123 of 104 balls, including seven sixes, against West Indies at Lord's two days later.

His batting and fielding are good enough to make him an automatic selection, but England need him fit and able to perform with the ball if they are to make the same progress in one-day cricket as they have in Tests.